For the People

Fight the whole American Civil War as Lincoln or Davis in a card-driven strategic wargame for two.

Designer: Mark Herman
Publishers: The Avalon Hill Game Co, GMT Games
Editions by: Devir

The whole American Civil War in one box, from the shots at Fort Sumter to the surrender at Appomattox Court House. For the People (1998) is a strategic-level, card-driven wargame for two: one of you is President Lincoln, the other President Davis. You command armies, promote and relieve generals, mount amphibious assaults and cavalry raids, and fight incompetence and political intrigue inside your own cabinet. A deck of strategy cards drives the campaigns and brings the war's events and personalities to the table. The Confederacy can build ironclads, naval mines and submarines and push for foreign intervention, while the Union tightens its blockade, builds its own ironclad fleet, faces draft riots and works to secure the Border States and issue the Emancipation. Expect about six hours.

The entire Civil War, Fort Sumter to AppomattoxStrategy cards drive campaigns and eventsIronclads, blockade, raids and politics

Who it's for

You are two history-minded players with a free day who want a deep, card-driven Civil War campaign.

Not for you if…

You are not a wargamer or you do not have six hours. This is a heavy strategic game with plenty of rules and a long clock.

Vibe's take

Heavy, historical and absorbing. Cards pull you between campaigns, politics and naval innovations, so you are always juggling pressure on several fronts.